WHO IS HE? De Meo, 58, is from Milan, Italy, and has more than 30 years' experience working in the automotive sector. He graduated from the Luigi Bocconi Commercial University wit

The French luxury group that owns brands such as Gucci, Saint Lauren and Balenciaga, makes an out-of-the-box appointment to revive its flagging sales

The appointment of de Meo, 58, marks a big change at Kering, owner of the Gucci and Saint Laurent brands, where François-Henri Pinault, a member of the family that controls the group, has been chair and chief executive for 20 years.